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Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:51 AM CST
New direction
New direction
Marble Rock officials try to iron out mayor-council issues
Hudson native named Grundy Center police chief
Oelwein parents give third degree over second-grade move
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
New direction
By MELODY PARKER, Courier Arts / Special Sections Editor
WAVERLY ---- Paul Torkelson is looking forward to a longer commute to work.
Torkelson, director of Wartburg College choral activities, will take a one-year leave of absence to become conductor-in-residence for MidAmerica Productions in New York City beginning in June. Torkelson will organize concerts and conduct at Carnegie Hall.
He also will be chorus master for the opera at the Festival of the Aegean on the Island of Syros in Greece.
Torkelson is trading 24 years in academia for the prestigious posts - and parking his car in favor of daily ferry and subway rides from Staten Island into the heart of Manhattan.
"It's a very big change and a tremendous opportunity," said Torkelson, professor of music and the Zahn Chair in choral conducting, as well as conductor of the Metropolitan Chorale. "It's going to be an intense musical experience."
Torkelson's positions at Wartburg temporarily will be filled by world-renowned choral director Weston Noble, professor emeritus at Luther College, where he taught for 57 years. Noble has been conductor-in-residence at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.
"I'm happy for Dr. Torkelson. This is a great opportunity - good for him and good for Wartburg," said Karen Black, chairwoman of the Wartburg music department. "The experience and skill of Weston Noble also will benefit Wartburg. He is a well-known, well-respected conductor - certainly an icon in the choral field."
Torkelson's one-year agreement with MidAmerica Productions involves both business and artistic aspects of choral music. He will recruit college and high school choral groups to perform at Carnegie Hall while conducting concerts or being part of joint productions. Torkelson will work with international performers in major productions of classical operas at the Festival of the Aegean.
"Dr. Torkelson's year with MidAmerica Productions will not only give him some wonderful conducting experience, but will also introduce him to individuals who can be very helpful to Wartburg and the Wartburg music program," said Ferol Menzel, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
Torkelson directs the Wartburg Choir and Ritterchor, and the Metropolitan Chorale and the Chancel Choir at Zion Lutheran Church, both in Waterloo. He has led the Wartburg Choir on seven European tours, and South African tours with famed opera baritone Simon Estes, Wartburg's distinguished professor and artist-in-residence.
Torkelson has been a frequent conductor for all-state choirs throughout the country, and conducted concerts at Carnegie Hall in 1989 and 1993 and at the Heritage of Gold Festival in New York City last year. This spring, Torkelson and the Wartburg Choir will be on tour in Europe and South Africa with Estes.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Wartburg, a master's degree from Kansas State University and his doctorate from the University of Colorado. He joined the Wartburg faculty in 1984. His wife, Suzanne, is a professor of music at Wartburg and will remain on staff.
"I will miss the students. I'll miss their enthusiasm and energy. Wartburg will always have a special place in my heart for intro
ducing me to so many things the world has to offer," Torkelson said.
Contact Melody Parker
at (319) 291-1429 or
melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.
Torkelson, director of Wartburg College choral activities, will take a one-year leave of absence to become conductor-in-residence for MidAmerica Productions in New York City beginning in June. Torkelson will organize concerts and conduct at Carnegie Hall.
He also will be chorus master for the opera at the Festival of the Aegean on the Island of Syros in Greece.
Torkelson is trading 24 years in academia for the prestigious posts - and parking his car in favor of daily ferry and subway rides from Staten Island into the heart of Manhattan.
"It's a very big change and a tremendous opportunity," said Torkelson, professor of music and the Zahn Chair in choral conducting, as well as conductor of the Metropolitan Chorale. "It's going to be an intense musical experience."
Torkelson's positions at Wartburg temporarily will be filled by world-renowned choral director Weston Noble, professor emeritus at Luther College, where he taught for 57 years. Noble has been conductor-in-residence at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.
"I'm happy for Dr. Torkelson. This is a great opportunity - good for him and good for Wartburg," said Karen Black, chairwoman of the Wartburg music department. "The experience and skill of Weston Noble also will benefit Wartburg. He is a well-known, well-respected conductor - certainly an icon in the choral field."
Torkelson's one-year agreement with MidAmerica Productions involves both business and artistic aspects of choral music. He will recruit college and high school choral groups to perform at Carnegie Hall while conducting concerts or being part of joint productions. Torkelson will work with international performers in major productions of classical operas at the Festival of the Aegean.
"Dr. Torkelson's year with MidAmerica Productions will not only give him some wonderful conducting experience, but will also introduce him to individuals who can be very helpful to Wartburg and the Wartburg music program," said Ferol Menzel, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
Torkelson directs the Wartburg Choir and Ritterchor, and the Metropolitan Chorale and the Chancel Choir at Zion Lutheran Church, both in Waterloo. He has led the Wartburg Choir on seven European tours, and South African tours with famed opera baritone Simon Estes, Wartburg's distinguished professor and artist-in-residence.
Torkelson has been a frequent conductor for all-state choirs throughout the country, and conducted concerts at Carnegie Hall in 1989 and 1993 and at the Heritage of Gold Festival in New York City last year. This spring, Torkelson and the Wartburg Choir will be on tour in Europe and South Africa with Estes.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Wartburg, a master's degree from Kansas State University and his doctorate from the University of Colorado. He joined the Wartburg faculty in 1984. His wife, Suzanne, is a professor of music at Wartburg and will remain on staff.
"I will miss the students. I'll miss their enthusiasm and energy. Wartburg will always have a special place in my heart for intro
ducing me to so many things the world has to offer," Torkelson said.
Contact Melody Parker
at (319) 291-1429 or
melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.
 |
More Stories from News » Regional
New directionMarble Rock officials try to iron out mayor-council issuesHudson native named Grundy Center police chiefOelwein parents give third degree over second-grade move
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DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
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cachick wrote on Feb 20, 2008 1:36 PM: